Tag Archives: Grunge

In preparation for my seeing Dishwalla perform at the Paramount later this month, I’ve decided to give their latest album, Juniper Road, a well-deserved go. For reference, their previous eponymously-titled album fared decently, nearly breaking the top 10 on the US Indie charts. This is representative of a steady trend, …

On Wednesday night, Chris Cornell played alongside his seminal band Soundgarden in Detroit, Michigan’s Fox Theatre as part of a month-long tour. Cornell’s live ethos were recapitulated in a text message to CNN by Bill Lowe of Port Clinton, Ohio: “Full set with an encore. Nothing Odd. Outstanding Perfomance.” Little …

In the mid 90s, Californian alternative quintet Dishwalla shot to fame with the release of their debut album, Pet Your Friends. The album’s third single, “Counting Blue Cars,” became a number one Billboard hit in 1996, and remains the band’s best-known to this day. Through subsequent albums (1998’s And You …

In the saturated and sanitized realm comprising most modern heavy rock, Emperors and Elephants prove a continually upstanding act. The Chicago quintet has earned substantial traction since their formation over half a decade ago, thanks in part to their assiduous touring ethic. After competently fostering a nationwide fanbase via their …

The musical journey of singer-songwriter Steven J. Vertun is a fine one to behold. As a 5-year-old, Vertun’s behavioral difficulties had his parents strapped for solutions. Eventually, an accordion proved to be—among all descriptors—instrumental. While it did little in providing Vertun tranquility, it ultimately fostered a musical proclivity that transitioned …

With their debut album Jousthouse, Minneapolis trio Late Night Fights are hoping to craft a name for themselves in the modern hard rock scene. For this project, the band have aimed to encapsulate the grittiness of grunge while also giving their music a more relevant approach in order to catch …

Ohio’s Static Tension is a progressive grunge quartet whose roots stretch back to the late 90s. Their lead guitarist, Greg Blachman, had initially coined the name for the band’s subsequent release, 1999’s Paint By Number. The band then ceased activity after two more years, but not without an effort to …

As the 2010s nears its remainder, rock music seems to have regained its heavy sensibilities. The indie signing/major distribution practice has become widespread, benefitted not only established acts but younger acts looking to impact the industry long term. Still, that impact has yet to be fully realized, especially in a …

In mid-2015, Gentlemen Jackals was formed by singer-guitarist Mark Wilson, second guitarist Craig McMahon, bassist-singer Scott Thomson and drummer Douglas Harden. The Dunfermline-bred quartet has since generated a buzz in the country’s capital, as well as Edinburgh and Fife, having crafted a distinctive musical identity. It is described by the …

Envision a time when the alternative was huge, local scenes were all the buzz, and music television still mattered. Now take those concepts and solidify them into a band. How about one that combines indie pop, sludgy grunge, witty lyricisms and a down to earth appeal, topped by an assiduous …

It’s not often that a new band is able to mix elements of alternative, punk, and metal into a sound that is not only cohesive, but also has potential. Play it too soft, and you’re removing yourself from the rock genre entirely (while still somehow being too “hard” to fit …